Page 31 - Model Airplane International - Issue 175 (February 2020)

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I didn’t take quite enough care with alignment of the centre joint The underside seam need some work too, although the fit No aftermarket masking sets were available at the time of
on one model, the result needing some filler as a consequence. of the inserts at the front of the sponsons is quite good. writing so for one of the models masks were cut in situ using a
Some rescribing of the heavy panel lines will be needed for new scalpel blade.
consistency.

For the second airframe I took a different approach and cut The cockpit area was hand painted black to avoid the external Despite their depth and width, some of the panel lines were
masks by scanning the kit’s decals to use as templates. colour showing through. obliterated by sanding the joints, and in this case, the cockpit
windows. They were re-instated using Scotch Tape to guide
the scriber.

the entire in and rudder using Mr Paint MRP representing a -J airframe: the prominent
230 Pale Roundel blue to act as the base air scoop on the starboard forward fuselage
colour for the commemorative scheme decals. is missing and needs to be scratchbuilt; the
I went through several stages of highlighting/ windows on the para-drop doors are round
lowlighting using shades of the three main and not square, and the three round windows
greens, inishing with some spot application of in front of the sponson should have the centre
gloss ready for the decals. one raised above the line of the others. I ixed
At the decalling stage I realised that the the scoop and applied squares of decal to
short-fuselage kit has some inaccuracies in the para-drop doors, but ignored the minor

I scratchbuilt the refuelling probe using laminated plastic
strip for the housing and aluminium tube for the probe, all
based on various on-line photos

The side blisters for the Nemesis DIRCM system were
formed from modified halves of 1:72 scale Russian
bombs (!) and plastic strip.
Throughout this build I was plagued with ghost
seams re-appearing after painting, despite several
cycles of filling. I found Ammo of MiG One Shot
primer to be excellent in terms of controllability and
build during the repair’s

Issue 175 - www.modelairplaneinternational.com 31

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